Records of Bahrain 1820–1960 - Cambridge Archive Editions

Near & Middle East Titles:
Records of Bahrain 1820–1960

ISBN: (13) 978-1-85207-350-3
Extent: 8 volumes, 5,250 pages, including 1 map box

Editor: Chief Editor Penelope Tuson, former head of Middle East archives, British Library (Oriental & India Office Collections). Assistant Editors: A. Burdett, E. Quick.
Author:N/A
ISBN: (10) 1-85207-350-
Published: 1993
Paper: Printed on acid free paper
Binding: Library binding with gilt finish
See sample pages: not available

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Resumé

In these 5000 pages Archive Editions presents a key selection of facsimile original British government documents detailing the history and development of Bahrain between 1820 and 1960. The set includes a map box containing 12 maps dated 1828–1955 including three sheets of the table of the Ruling Al Khalifah (´Utbi) family of Bahrain.

These British records are of particular interest because the British were in the unique position of being at the heart of government in the Gulf states. They administered Bahrain’s foreign and defence affairs through treaty relations from as early as 1820 and despite a convention acknowledging the independence of Bahrain agreed in 1913, right up to the British withdrawal in 1971.

Historical Overview

The early modern history of Bahrain is one of independence until the Portugese occupied from 1521–1602 and then the Persians, though not continuously, until 1782. In 1783 the Persians were expelled from Bahrain by the Utub (Uttobee or Utbi) tribe from central Arabia, whose leading family, the Al-Khalifas, became the independent Sheikhs of Bahrain and have ruled Bahrain ever since, apart from a brief period before 1810.

The documents in this collection date from the early 19th century when the British empire was expanding and was particularly anxious to defend its position in the Persian Gulf to prevent the French, Germans and Russians from encroaching on the British position in India. The collection contains the key documents needed to follow the development of the State of Bahrain from 1820–1960. In fact, the first document is a retrospective dated 1844, by Lt. Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf describing the history of the ‘Uttoobee tribe of Arabs of Bahrein from 1716 to 1844. The documents include details of the war with Muscat 1828; relations with the Wahhabis; civil war in Bahrain 1840–1847; war with Qatar 1867–1868; the destruction of Zubarah 1878; Turkish and Persian claims to sovereignty; the respective rulers Shaikh Isa bin Ali, Shaikh Hamad, Shaikh Salman and the future Shaikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifah; administrative and constitutional reform, 1955; and the multiple effects of the oil boom. The final volume is a map box containing historical maps and genealogical tables.

Documentary Importance

Understanding the Series

The three sections of the Records of Bahrain Series combine to create a large collection which offers historical evidence for the political, economic and social evolution of Bahrain. Such evidence improves our understanding of the modern political position of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. This large body of documents includes, for example, examination of frontier negotiations and questions of sovereignty, particularly the claim to Bahrain by Iran and the long-running dispute with Qatar; it also provides details of constitutional, military and defence developments.

Arrangement of volumes

Contents Outline

Material has been arranged within each volume according to broad subjects including internal political affairs, social and economic development, regional and international relations. Within these general divisions documents are presented chronologically. Highlights from the volumes:

Volume 1: 1820-1868

Events connected with the Uttobee tribe of Arabs (Bahrein), from 1716
Historical sketch of the Uttobee tribe by Mr Francis Warden, from 1817
Information connected with the possessions, revenues, families, etc. of the Ruler of Bahrain, 1854.
Records of the Gulf surveys and travellers
The General Treaty with Britain, 1820
The war with Muscat, 1828-1829
Relations between the Shaikhs of Bahrain and the Wahhabis, 1830-1836
Civil war in Bahrain 1840-1847
The war with Qatar, 1867,1868

Volume 2: 1868-1892

Persian claims to Bahrain, 1869-1885
Attack on Bahrain by the exiled Muhammad b. Khalifah and Nasir b. Mubarak
The destruction of Zubarah, 1878
Anglo-Ottoman rivalry and the British agreement with Bahrain, 1880
Reports on the topography and archaeology of Bahrain, 1878-1879
The pearl fisheries, 1877-1878

Volume 3: 1892-1923

Turkish claims to sovereignty, 1892
Occupation of Zubarah by Al-bin-Ali with support of Turks and Shaikh Jasim, 1895
The Bahrain Order in Council, 1913
Construction of Manama pier, 1903-1912
Agreement for the exploitation of oil, 1914
Relations with Ibn Saud, 1920
Abdication of Shaikh Isa, 1923

Volume 4: 1923-1932

Shaikh Hamad appointed Deputy Ruler, 1923
The civil reforms of 1923
The Bahrain oil concessions, 1925
Appointment of C.D.Belgrave as advisor to the Ruler, 1925

Volume 5: 1932-1942

Accession of Shaikh Hamad, 1932; death of Shaikh Hamad, 1942
Baharnah agitation for reform, 1935
Background to Bahrain claim to Hawar Islands, 1936-1940
Claim to Hawar by Ruler of Qatar, Shaikh Abdullah b. Qasim Al-Thani, 1938-1939
Revenue and expenditure statements, 1932, etc.
BAPCO employment affairs, 1938

Volume 6: 1942-1950

Accession of Shaikh Salman, 1942
Demands for reform, 1948
Persian propaganda and renewed claim to Bahrain, 1947-1948
Demands for removal of C.D.Belgrave as Advisor, 1946
Petroleum royalties; use of Sittra pier by oil company, 1949-1950
Delimitation of seabed with Qatar; effect of Zubarah dispute, 1949
Saudi Arabia and the dispute over Fasht bu Saafa, 1949

Volume 7: 1951-1960

Disturbances between Shiahs and Sunnis, 1953
Constitutional and administrative reforms, 1955
Departure of Sir Charles Belgrave, Advisor, 1957
Shaikh Isa declared Heir Apparent, 1958
Saudi Arabia-Bahrain seabed boundary, 1951-1958
Dispute over Zubarah, 1953-1960
Bahrain-Qatar seabed, 1951-1960
Manama causeway project, 1951
Third population census of Bahrain, 1959

Volume 8: Historical maps and tables

Key documents

Maps

The following maps and tables are included in the document box:

1. Trigonometrical plan of the island and harbour of Bahrain, 1825

2. Survey of Bahreyn Harbour and the Khaur-el-Bab, 1860

3. Rough sketch of Fort Muhurok, Bahrain, 1868

4. Bahrain Island, Wahabee Coast, Guttur Coast map, 1869

5. Notes on the island of Bahrain and antiquities, 1879

6. Table of the ruling Al-Khalifa (´Utbi) family of Bahrain, 1915

7. Plan of Manamah port and town, British Admiralty, 1933

8. Bahrain Island, British Admiralty, 1937

Editor's Introduction